fire

fire [fīr]

n.

[ME fyr < OE, akin to Ger feuer < IE base * pewōr- > Gr pyra, PYRE, Czech pýř, glowing embers]

1. the active principle of burning, characterized by the heat and light of combustion

2. fuel burning in a furnace, fireplace, etc.

3. an instance of burning that is undesired, uncontrolled, and destructive [a forest fire]

4. any preparation that will burn and make a brilliant display [Greek fire]

5.

a) anything like fire, as in heat or brilliance

b) firelike brilliance

6. death, torture, or trial by burning

7. extreme suffering or distress that tries one's endurance; tribulation or ordeal

8. a feverish or inflamed condition of the body

9. strong feeling; excitement; ardor [a speech full of fire]

10. vivid imagination

11.

a) a discharge of firearms or artillery; shooting

b) anything like this in speed and continuity of action [a fire of criticism]

vt.

fired, firing [ME firen < OE fyrian]

1. to apply fire to; make burn; ignite

2. to supply with fuel; tend the fire of [to fire a furnace]

3. to bake (bricks, pottery, etc.) in a kiln

4. to dry by heat

5. to make bright or illuminate, as if by fire

6.

a) to animate or inspire

b) to excite, stimulate, or inflame: often with up

7.

a) to shoot or discharge (a gun, bullet, etc.)

b) to make explode by igniting

8. to hurl or direct with force and suddenness [fire a rock, fire questions ]

☆ 9. [pun on discharge] to dismiss from a position; discharge

vi.

1. to start burning; flame

2. to tend a fire

3. to become excited or aroused

4. to react in a specified way to firing in a kiln [a glaze that fires bright blue]

5. to shoot a firearm

6. to discharge a projectile [the gun fired]

7. to become yellow prematurely, as corn or grain

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between two fires

between two attacks; shot at, criticized, etc. from both sides

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catch on fire or catch fire

to begin burning; ignite

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fire away

Informal to begin; start, esp. to talk or ask questions

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fire up

1. to start a fire in a furnace, stove, etc.

2. to start or warm up (an engine, etc.)

3. to become suddenly angry

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go through fire and water

to undergo great difficulties or dangers

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miss fire

1. to fail to fire, as a gun

2. to fail in an attempt

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on fire

1. burning

2. greatly excited; full of ardor

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open fire

1. to begin to shoot

2. to begin; start

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play with fire

to do something risky

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set fire to

to make burn; ignite

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set the world on fire

to become famous through brilliant achievements

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strike fire

to make a spark, as with tinder

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take fire

1. to begin to burn

2. to become excited

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under fire

1. under attack, as by gunfire

2. subjected to criticism, etc.

firer

n.